HE DID HIS BEST

When I am dead, if men can say,
I helped the world upon its way;
With all my faults of word and deed
Mankind did have some little need
For what I’ve done—then in my grave
No greater honor shall I crave.
If they can say—if they but can—
“He did his best, he played the man,
His ways were straight; his soul was clean;
His failings not unkind nor mean.
He loved his fellow man and tried
To help him”—I’ll be satisfied.
But when I’m gone, if only one
Will weep because my life is gone
And feel the world is somewhat bare
Because I am no longer there—
Call me a knave, my life misspent—
No matter. I shall be content.

Chiropractic Is 114 Years Old

Chiropractic’s famous first adjustment is recognized each year
with an annual observance commemorating September 18th,
1895 as Chiropractic Founder’s Day.
On this day, 114 years ago, Dr. Daniel David Palmer administered the
first specific chiropractic adjustment on Harvey Lillard in
Davenport Iowa. Dr. D.D. Palmer delivered this historic first chiropractic
adjustment with the specific intent of realigning a malpositioned
vertebra on the patient, restoring its normal position, and Harvey
Lillard, who had lost most of his hearing 17 years earlier, noted
his hearing rapidly returned under Dr. Palmer’s care. From that point
D.D. Palmer shifted his clinical practice to his new methods of replacing
spinal bones that were out of position, and experienced positive
clinical results in patients with a wide variety of health concerns. His
practice grew and the profession of chiropractic was launched.

The theory and clinical basis of chiropractic was succinctly described as “Founded on Tone” in 1910 in a book authored by Dr. Palmer, and over subsequent years the science, art and philosophy of this unique and special approach to health care was further described and detailed. A landmark text published in 1927 by Dr. R.W. Stephenson outlined key aspects of the chiropractic approach to health and healing in a listing of 33 Principles.

Does Your Practice Measure Up With DD Palmer's Practice?

In 1902, seven short years after the birth of chiropractic, DD Palmer was practicing his art, science, and philosophy in Davenport, IA. He had a private practice and a one adjusting room office. Private practice had a different meaning for him back then.

There was about one hundred chiropractors in the entire world. Less than 1% of the population ever heard of the word chiropractic, and far less had any understanding of what chiropractic is and what we do. In 1902, DD practiced in rural Iowa in a sparsely populated area in the middle of farms. This was really "private" practice. He was alone and isolated.

However, he had a purpose and a vision. He was consumed with a burning desire to share his discovery with the world in spite of the fact there were no laws governing the practice of chiropractic and what he was doing was against the law. You should even be aware of the fact that DD Palmer did go to jail for practicing medicine without a license so you and I can practice with freedom today.

In 1902 in his one room office with two adjusting benches and lots of patient gowns hanging from the walls, he adjusted 11,389 patients. Yes, you read that correctly. He averaged 219 patient visits a week at a time when he was swimming upstream as a single doctor caring for people in a way that was illegal and unheard of. By the way DD Palmer practiced part time.

So with all that going against him, why was DD adjusting far more people every week back in 1902 than the average chiropractor adjusts today? The average chiropractor adjusts 100 visits a week today and everyone alive knows about chiropractic. Everyone also knows that it is legal, recognized and woven into the fabric of our culture.

We have the luxury of modern media, modern communication systems and modern equipment. There are thousands of us and we even have tons of research validating what we do. Is your practice bigger than DD's was in 1902, and if not, when will you take it over the top?

Source: Bob Hoffman, D.C., The Masters Circle